Artfully Edmonds review: Madcap ‘Boeing Boeing’ flies high on opening night

Boeing-Boeing-Post-Card-JPGJune 12-28
Driftwood Players
Wade James Theatre
950 Main St.
Boeing Boeing

Driftwood Players enjoyed a smooth takeoff last night as their madcap farce, “Boeing Boeing” celebrated its opening night.

The pre-performance noise level and anticipation in the lobby of Wade James Theatre paralleled that of a busy airport as a full house squeezed into the noble theatre to witness the crimes-of-the-heart of one Bernard Lawrence, played by experienced thespian Jordan Fermstad.

Boeing Boeing, which premiered in France, 1960, and moved to the big screen in 1965, romps through playful passions, tumultuous tantrums, and melodramatic misdemeanors as playwright Marc Camoletti grabs The Swinging ’60s and takes wing.

Main character Bernard is an American in Paris who enjoys the good life – a stylish Paris flat, the most loyal of any housekeeper, and a fetching flight attendant fiancée – or two – or three.

Yes, Bernard is a philanderer. And it is quite clear that he has his predilections down to a science of reliable timetables, until one fine day. And this fine day happens also to be the day his college friend Robert arrives in glittering Paris from dull Minnesota to witness (and be the unwitting catalyst to) the crash of a very good scheme.

Bernard’s distress as his playboy lifestyle unravels was applauded by an enthusiastic Edmonds audience last night, as were the performances of Cindy Giese French (Berthe, the housekeeper); Robert (Greg LoProto); Fiancée #1, American Gloria (Jannier Makenas); Fiancée #2, Italian Gabriella (Veronica Tuttell) and Fiancée #3, German Gretchen (Sara Schweid).

Jordan Fernstad’s ability to pilot the production through five very different opposites; along with Greg LoProto’s sheer embodiment of his character, makes Boeing Boeing a soaring success. The audience watched Fernstad’s meltdown from suave, meticulous playboy and perennial bachelor to a screaming maniac – and from what I could tell, the theatre-goers rather enjoyed his moment-of-comeuppance. The cad!

Shoulder-to-shoulder equally effective is LoProto, whose cross between Jerry Lewis and Jerry Seinfeld is roaringly funny. The pratfalls, the stumbles, the slips on the stairs – the recoveries! How does he do it? My theatre-mate and My Edmonds News loyal reader Jeanie Blair is sure that “He’s had dance training!” Probably.

I never knew that the French enjoyed Greek Chorus before I witnessed Cindy Geise French’s portrayal of Berthe. Her long-suffering distress! Her “I told you so” attitude. The symbolic “wiping my hands of it” as she wipes her hands on her apron.

The roaring ovation for Geise French as the curtain fell on opening night was unquestionably well-deserved. Brava, Cindy!

As for the three-timed fiancées: Jennier Makenas wins this reviewers approval for her shoulder shimmy and playful tease as she flirts with anyone on stage who has a pulse. Veronica Tuttell particularly impressed Artfully Edmonds with her elocution of an Italian accent and her unbridled tantrums.

But for capturing a cultures’ stereotypes – the audience went crazy for Sara Schweid’s portrayal of a controlling German frau. The teamwork of the flight attendee trio reflected a true desire to develop a Funny Girl team that the audience would find both funny and believable – it worked!

Artistic team kudos go to Leann Hittenberger (Fight Coach) – no comedy farce meets its mark without hilarious faux-fights, stumbles and tantrums. Well done, fight coach! Douglas Lidz (set design) caught the essence of style – but the set design coup de grace was the flippin’ pictures. (No readers, I am not cussing, I am describing!)

Meagan McDonald (costume design) deserves a standing ovation for wardrobe selection for Robert (the high water pants? Really, Meagan! Too funny!). The ascot-wearing Bernard, and the the brightly uniformed flight attendants – all perfect.

Winning the curtain call roar-of-the-crowd award was Cindy Giese French for her portrayal of the housekeeper, whose motto appeared to be, “I’ll suffer loudly unless you show me the money!” and to Greg LoProto for his “get-the-girl” mostly-earnest nice guy, which contrasts to Bernard, Boeing Boeing’s funny, funny lout.

Driftwood Board president and the director of Boeing Boeing, Ted Jaquith, gave the excited crowd a warm welcome along with his call for financial support – which the theatre company needs. One constructive criticism: A call for theatre volunteers should be added to his “Ask.” It would be a win-win as the Driftwood Players are waning on volunteers; and for those in the Edmonds community looking for a volunteer gig, this is an established – noteworthy – theatre company for which volunteering would be fun!

Information for volunteers is here.

Tickets for Boeing-Boeing are available online here or by calling 425-774-9600.

— By Emily Hill

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